Volta ao Algarve (st. 1)

Groenewegen (TLJ) wins bunch sprint in se lleva en Lagos un sprint masivo condicionado por una caída en los últimos 10 km, que no afectó a los Movistar Team.

As well as their appearance in the Vuelta Ciclista a Andalucía, also starting on Wednesday, the Movistar Team kicked off their 44th Volta ao Algarve in southern Portugal today. Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen (TLJ) took the first yellow jersey as he bested Arnaud Démare (FDJ) and Hugo Hofstetter (COF) at the inevitable bunch sprint putting an end to the 192km route from Albufeira to Lagos.

A last-minute replacement with Jasha Sütterlin coming in for Jaime Castrillo, the young Spaniard suffering with knee pain for the last few weeks, was the only setback for the Blues, who covered the journey with no incidents and mainly finished in the bunch. A first mountain-top finish comes on Thursday atop the Alto da Fóia (15km, 5% average), the GC certain to turn upside down at the end of the 188km stage two from Sagres.

Picture (c): Roberto Bettini / BettiniPhoto.net